One Spy Plane, Please—Pilot Optional

The Firebird, Northrop Grumman's new intelligence, surveillance, and recon (ISR) aircraft, has caught the eye of a certain unnamed special ops command or intelligence agency, which has ordered 10 of them. Here are its key components

The turbocharged Lycoming TE0-540E is mounted high to allow ground clearance for the pusher propeller and belly-mounted sensors.

2. Payload Bay

Firebirds are built with high-definition video and infrared sensors to track targets, eavesdrop on enemy communications, and serve as a communications relay for friendly troops. The payload bay can be configured for many missions, ­saving money by serving as a multipurpose platform.

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3. Cockpit

With two pilots in the cockpit, the Firebird can operate in airspace shared by commercial airplanes; while unmanned, the craft is suited for long-endurance ­missions. To fly out of sight of ground controllers, crews remove the canopy and cockpit navigation system and add a satellite antenna.

4. Wings

The forward-swept wings are designed to assist loitering up to 40 hours. The Pentagon's current ISR aircraft don't have equal endurance. Sensor pods or precision weapons can be affixed to hard points on the wings.